Airport Layover Planner
Make the most of short and long airport layovers.
Usage
- Provide your layover airport, duration, and whether you have checked bags
- Get recommendations: lounge access, city visit feasibility, food options, rest areas
- Factor in immigration/customs requirements for international connections
- Plan timing to ensure you don't miss your connection
- Know your rights for airline-caused long layovers
Examples
- 4-hour layover at Istanbul (IST): Enough time to enjoy the Turkish Airlines lounge (free for business, $50 for economy via LoungeBuddy). IST has excellent food court, free shower facilities, and sleeping pods. NOT enough time for a city visit (airport is 40min from center)
- 8-hour layover at Singapore Changi: Visit the butterfly garden, rooftop pool (Terminal 1), free movie theater (T2/T3). For 6+ hour layovers, take the free 2.5-hour Changi city tour (book at transit desk). No visa needed for most passports for transit
- 12+ hour overnight layover at Dubai: Leave the airport for a city visit — most nationalities get free visa on arrival. Visit Dubai Mall / Burj Khalifa (open until midnight). Return to airport 3 hours before departure. Consider an airport hotel ($80-120) for sleep
Guidelines
- Minimum safe connection times: domestic-domestic 1.5h, domestic-international 2.5h, international-international 2h (add 1h at large airports like JFK, CDG, Heathrow)
- Check if your layover requires clearing immigration — this adds 30-90 minutes (US airports require customs clearance even for international-to-international connections)
- Priority Pass ($99/year + $35/visit or unlimited memberships) gives access to 1,400+ lounges worldwide
- If your layover is airline-caused and 4+ hours, ask for meal vouchers or hotel accommodation — EU regulations (EC 261) are strongest
- Always keep your boarding pass and passport accessible, and note which terminal your next flight departs from
- Download the airport's app for real-time gate changes and terminal maps